On Tuesday 11 November, we gathered as a College community on our Terraces, in honour of Remembrance Day.
Led by our Middle School Captains, we prayed for those who lost their lives in conflict, and took a moment to reflect on their sacrifice as Matthew (Year 10, Dalton) played The Last Post and Rouse.
Finishing with the National Anthem, it was a poignant moment for students, families and staff to remember and pay respect for this significant day.
Our Year 6 students returned to Campus this week after spending Week 4 exploring Canberra.
A great experience for practicing their independence on what, for some, was their first interstate trip, students visited key landmarks to learn about history, politics, leadership, and science, enhancing their understanding of Australia's heritage.
This trip is always filled with incredible memories and opportunities to see the heart of our nation's capital.
Tomorrow, Friday 14 November, is Wear it Again Day - no school uniform necessary, but no brand new outfits, either! Just pre-loved clothes in your House colour.
Bring your gold coin donation - it will be collected by House and contribute to your points tally.
You've only got one more day to bring your contributions for the Brother Michael Christmas Hampers! Drop your items into your House's collection box at Strathspey House, Carmel Bourke Library, Junior School Hall, McAuley Office, or Senior Study.
Let's see which House can generate the greatest impact on these social justice campaigns!
Our STEP students have recently been honing life skills that will stregthen their independence and sense of resourcefulness.
In Year 9, students have completed Food Hygiene and Safety certification, developing skills in meal preparation and knife skills, before swapping knives for needles and learning basic hand sewing techniques for clothing repairs.
Year 10s, meanwhile, have completed modules on correct car maintenance and responsible driving skills, and are now turning their heads to developing nutritious home-cooked meals that should replace a few UberEats orders!
As part of their RISE Programme, one of our Year 9 Home Groups chose to find ways to support local dog shelter, Scruffer Lovers.
Having identified the need for resources that would help house dogs seeking adoption, students held a lunchtime BBQ to raise funds for dog beds, toys, and other enrichment items.
This week, they met the team from Scruffer Lovers... and a few furry recipients.
The litter of five puppies took to their soft beds and squeaky toys very quickly, and were soon bounding between students for lots of cuddles and tummy rubs.
Our Year 9 RISE Programme focuses on building self confidence and resilience, as well as promoting empathy, community involvement, and teamwork, as students head towards their Senior years.
Our Year 5s recently had an excursion to St Paul of the Cross Monastery as part of their Unit of Inquiry, 'Communities can be developed through different belief systems'.
With guidance from Father Pastor Mumburi, students explored Christian symbols and their importance within the Catholic faith, then during a later Liturgy, students shared symbols from their own communities and explained what made them meaningful for their families.
It was a thoughtful day of reflection about diversity and acceptance, and how a community can come together through their differences.
Online ordering is now open for co-curricular group photos, leadership photos, and our Mid-year Reception class photo.
Please click here to see the full list of groups added to the ordering portal.
We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of our Junior School French Teacher, Belinda Roberts, who was recently named French Teacher of the Year at the Educators SA Teachers Association Awards.
Belinda has been teaching French at Mercedes College for more than 10 years, delivering innovative, rigorous, and engaging programmes for our students.
These include our immensely popular annual French Day, and the Reception's 'Voyage à Paris', as well as coordinating the South Australian Pétanque and Poetry Competitions, which foster enthusiasm and excellence in French education.
Congratulations, Belinda!
Recently, eight students took part in the 2025 South Australian All Schools athletics competition, and they came away with some outstanding results.
Hayley (Year 10, Dalton), Charlie (Year 10, McAuley), Maggie (Year 9, Fitzpatrick), and Max (Year 10, Barry), are all going to Melbourne in December to compete for South Australia in the National All Schools competition!
Our other Mercedes College representatives, Tom (Year 9, McAuley), Ella (Year 7, Dalton), Murphy (Year 7, Barry), and Sophia (Year 10, Barry), also had a great event, narrowly missing out making the State team.
Congratulations to everyone who took part! Great results all round..
Our Year 9 Drama students are preparing to wow their audience with their performance of 'Orange is the New Glass' by Tyler Dwiggins.
The show tells the tale of outrageous happenings in a fairy tale kingdom, where beloved storybook characters are flipped on their heads and reality TV reigns supreme.
Students have been working 'page to stage', managing both what is seen and unseen to produce the final production.
Orange is the New Glass
Monday 24 November
6.00pm - 7.00pm
John McDonald Performing Arts Centre
Our OSHC team have been planning a fabulous five week of fun-filled adventures for the Summer holiday break.
We'll have a two-week programme ahead of the Christmas break, then another three weeks in the New Year - plus the Pupil Free Day after the Australia Day long weekend in January.
There will be crafts and games, movies and magic, plus excursions to Adelaide Zoo, The Big Wedgie Inflatable Water Park, South Australian Museum, Funtopia, and more!
Check out the full programme here, and complete your booking form early to secure your spot as they book up quickly!
We invite parents and caregivers with a passion about contributing to the future of Mercedes College to nominate for one of three positions on the College Council, or join on of our Standing Committees: Finance, Risk and Infrastructure, Faith and Education, or People, Culture and Engagement.
Click here to learn more about the election process and access the nomination form.
We take this moment to sincerely thank and farewell Danielle Finnimore, Jock Duncan, and Troy Trafela for their service to the College Council, and work on Standing Committees over the past years. Their contributions have helped shape our community, and we wish them all the best for the future.
For more information, please contact Amanda Dyson.
Last week, Mercedes College took our top three Netball teams from Years 7, 8 and 9 to the Middle School Catholic Girls' Netball Carnival, and had an outstanding day.
Netball 7A demonstrated remarkable energy, determination and teamwork, earning a hard-fought second place to St Michael's College.
Netball 8A showed excellent consistency, with a high standard of play taking them to a commendable fourth place finish.
But is was Netball 9A who took home the biggest win, defeating Cardijn College 24-21 in a thrilling Grand Final and taking home the Championship Shield undefeated.
Congratulations to all of our Netball girls - great displays on and off the court!
Late last week, our Year 11 Legal Studies students took a trip to the city as part of their extensive learning.
At the Magistrates Court they were treated to a special discussion with Magistrate Davis, the uncle of a Mercedes student, who explained the matters he is currently hearing, and the court process overall.
They also met with Catherine Hutchesson MP, local member for Waite, for a tour of Parliament House.
A great example of how our students can apply their classroom studies to real-world experiences.
Last week, we had a number of students receive accolades in the South Australian French Teachers' Association's annual French Poetry Awards.
These students, who participated in French poetry recitals during the year, demonstrated a wonderful understanding of tone and inflection, as well as poise, courage, and resilience, reading aloud in front of an audience of peers and their families.
Congratulations Anthony (Reception, Fitzpatrick), Divit (Year 2, Dalton), Emma (Year 3, McAuley), Henry (Year 6, McAuley), and Toby (Year 7, Dalton), who all took home awards from the presentation.
More upcoming activities can be found on the College Calendar.
